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This delicious chicken sausage pasta recipe is the perfect easy dinner on a busy weeknight. Made with hearty chicken sausage, a creamy tomato sauce, and freshly grated parmesan cheese, it’s bursting with has bold Italian flavor. The whole family will enjoy this one!
Looking for another delicious pasta recipe or more one pot recipes? Next time, try our one pot lemon chicken and asparagus , cajun sausage pasta, or one pot creamy cajun chicken pasta.
Why this Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe Works
Fresh flavors: the mix of Italian seasoning, fresh herbs, and cheese make this dish full of flavor.
Simple meal: everything is done in four easy steps and can be thrown together quickly for dinner. (Then have it again the next day for lunch!)
Whole ingredients: we love this recipe because it’s a healthy, complete meal. You know exactly what ingredients you’re getting and it can easily be made dairy or gluten-free with a couple of quick substitutions.
Need more creamy pasta in your life? Try chicken alfredo gnocchi or garlic parmesan chicken pasta.
Ingredients You Need
Here are the simple ingredients for this chicken sausage pasta. Most are pantry staples and easy (and affordable) to find in the grocery store. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Penne pasta: or any short pasta.
- Olive oil: substitute with avocado oil if needed.
- Italian chicken sausage: we like Italian-style chicken sausage for this recipe, but you can switch up the flavor of chicken sausage or type of sausage. As far as name brands, we like Aidelle’s or Al Fresco because of their clean ingredients.
- Unsalted butter: use coconut oil or vegan butter as dairy-free options.
- Garlic: fresh cloves of garlic add so much flavor.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Tomato paste: adds a little thickness to the creamy sauce.
- Marinara sauce: we used Rao’s.
- Heavy cream: or cashew cream or coconut cream to make it dairy-free.
- Broccoli florets: add a nice crunch and color to the dish.
- Parmesan cheese: freshly grated for topping.
- Herbs: fresh basil, parsley, or thyme to garnish.
- Chicken broth or reserved pasta water: to thin out the sauce as needed.
How to Make Chicken Sausage Pasta
The full printable recipe is below, but let’s walk through the steps with some photos and a video so you have a clear idea of what to expect. This delicious chicken sausage pasta recipe is really easy and these step-by-step instructions will make sure they turn out every time.
Cook pasta: Add salt to a large pot of water and bring it to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. When it’s done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water then drain. Do not rinse the pasta.
Cook the chicken sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat the tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot and shimmering, add the sliced sausages, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes, or until it’s heated through and golden brown on each side. Transfer it to a clean plate or cutting board.
Make the pasta sauce: Add the butter to the same skillet over medium heat and stir to melt. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook to soften until the garlic is fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, marinara, and cream and stir until smooth.
Mix all together and serve: Stir in the salt and pepper, taste, and adjust seasoning as desired. Stir in the cooked pasta, and reserved chicken sausage, and add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water or chicken broth if the sauce gets too thick. Serve with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
What goes well with chicken sausage?
- Veggies: Grilled or roasted vegetables can be served as a side dish or mixed in or a hearty main course like this sheet pan sausage and veggies.
- Pasta: Toss chicken sausage with your favorite pasta and toss with a flavorful sauce.
- Rice or Grains: Serve chicken sausage alongside cooked rice, quinoa, or couscous as part of a grain bowl.
- Salads: Create a hearty salad with chicken sausage as the protein. Combine it with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and your choice of dressing.
- Potatoes: Roasted or mashed potatoes make a classic and comforting side dish for chicken sausage. You can also make a skillet hash like our sweet potato hash with sausage and peppers.
- Stir-Fry: Prepare a colorful stir-fry with chicken sausage, a mix of vegetables, and your choice of stir-fry sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Slice or dice chicken sausage and use it as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or pita pockets. Add your favorite condiments and veggies.
- Eggs: Incorporate chicken sausage into omelets, frittatas, or breakfast burritos for a protein-packed morning meal. Add it to our asparagus and cheese frittata.
- Sauerkraut: If you enjoy the tangy flavors, sauerkraut can be a tasty accompaniment to chicken sausage, especially in a sandwich or as a side.
Recipe FAQs
Chicken sausages can be a healthier option compared to traditional pork sausages, but their healthiness can vary depending on factors such as the ingredients used, processing methods, and portion sizes. They are a leaner protein source with generally lower total fat content and fewer calories. However, they often compensate for this by adding flavor through seasonings, spices, and other ingredients. It’s important to check the ingredient list for additives like sodium, preservatives, and artificial flavorings. As with any foods, the portion size and how you prepare the food can affect overall health.
If cooking with a pre-cooked sausage, you will just want to reheat it quickly either in the microwave or oven, on the stovetop, or on the grill. If the chicken sausage is uncooked, it’s important to follow the cooking instructions on the packaging, use a food thermometer to check for the correct internal temperature (usually around 165°F for chicken), and make sure the sausages are no longer pink in the center.
Recipe Variations
- Use a different kind of sausage like turkey sausage or pork sausage.
- Try a different pasta shape or type of pasta like chickpea pasta to make it gluten-free.
- Add grilled or roasted veggies like red peppers for extra crunch and vitamins.
- Lay it next to a bed of arugula salad with a lemon dressing.
- Make it dairy free: use nutritional yeast, vegan butter (or more olive oil), and coconut cream or cashew cream in place of the dairy in this recipe.
- Gluten-free: use a certified gluten-free pasta. Our favorite brand is Jovial.
Freezing and Storing Tips
- To store: this is a great meal to have as leftovers. Allow the ingredients to cool, then place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: place back in the skillet, and cook on the stovetop until warmed all the way through. This also reheats well in the microwave.
- To freeze: place cooled sausage and sauce in an air-tight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge then follow the instructions above to reheat.
If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!
More Easy Pasta Recipes
If you’re looking for another pasta with chicken sausage recipe, this one pot lemon chicken asparagus recipe has several of 5-star reviews.
One pot taco pasta is a 30 minute meal that both the kids and adults will love. This one pot creamy cajun shrimp pasta is dairy-free and filled with a bold cajun flavor.
This instant pot spaghetti cooks the noodles right in with the meat and leaves them perfectly al dente.
Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta gluten-free if needed (Note 1)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces (4 links) Italian chicken sausage sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, coconut oil, or vegan butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce we used Rao’s
- 1 cup heavy cream, coconut cream, or cashew cream
- 3 cups broccoli florets (1 large head of broccoli) chopped small
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese for topping
- Fresh basil, parsley, or thyme to garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. When it’s done, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water then drain. Do not rinse the pasta.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the pasta sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot and shimmering, add the chicken sausage and cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, or until it’s heated through and browned on each side. Transfer it to a clean plate or cutting board.
- Add the butter to the same skillet over medium heat and stir to melt. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook to soften until the garlic is fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, marinara, and cream and stir until smooth. Add the broccoli florets and stir to coat it in the sauce. Cook the sauce and broccoli for 5 minutes or until it reduces and thickens to your liking. Adjust the heat if it’s starting to boil beyond a gentle bubble around the edges.
- Stir in the salt and pepper, taste, and adjust the seasoning as desired. Stir in the pasta, and cooked sausage and stir to combine. Add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water or chicken broth if the sauce gets too thick. Serve with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
Notes
Video
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Large pot for boiling pasta
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
